Discover the secrets to adding fractions with unlike denominators in our latest blog post, the fourth article in our comprehensive eleven-part series!
This post includes five sample problems to enhance your child’s understanding right from the start.
The Problem: Adding fractions with unlike denominators can be challenging for children. Without a clear understanding, they may struggle to grasp the concept, leading to confusion and frustration in more advanced math classes.
This lack of understanding can create significant gaps in their knowledge, undermining their confidence and hindering their academic progress. As math concepts build on one another, an inability to add fractions with unlike denominators can make future math lessons even more difficult.
The Solution: The solution lies in learning to illustrate the addition process. In our blog post, your child will:
- Learn to Illustrate Addition: Visual models help clarify the process of adding fractions with unlike denominators.
- Build a Strong Foundation: Step-by-step lessons ensure your child thoroughly understands each concept.
- Achieve Long-term Success: A solid grasp of fractions is crucial for future mathematical success.
Visit our website (https://www.teachersdungeon.com/) for a comprehensive educational program designed to help kids become proficient in mathematics. By mastering these concepts, your child will gain a deeper, more concrete understanding of adding fractions with unlike denominators, paving the way for a successful educational journey. Don’t miss out on this valuable resource—empower your child’s learning today!
Articles within this series on Fractions:
- How to do fractions, Free Online Tutoring in Math for Understanding Fractions
- How to Add Fractions (like 4/7 + 3/7 )
- How to Subtract Fractions (like 8/9 – 4/9 )
- How to Add Fractions with Unlike Denominators (like 2/3 + 3/4 )
- How to Subtract Fractions with Unlike Denominators (like 2/3 – 1/4)
- How to Add Fractions that are Mixed Numbers (like 2 & 3/4 + 3 & 5/6 )
- How to Subtract Fractions that are Mixed Numbers (like 3 & 3/4 – 2 & 5/6)
- How to Multiply Fractions (like 2/3 x 5 )
- How to Divide Fractions (like 6 ÷ ¾ )
- How to Multiply Fractions (like 2/3 x 1/4)
- How to Divide Fractions (like ½ ÷ ¼)
Solving problems that deal with fractions is simple when you develop a concrete understanding. I have had incredible results with with the students in my class! The strategies taught within this article work with children who have ADHD, Dyslexia, and other learning disabilities. Virtually every one of my students who has learned the strategies within this HOW TO DO FRACTIONS article has passed the standards based assessment for adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing fractions.
I have scaffold the problems in each lesson.
The first problem in this article is a “Watch Me” problem. The second is a “Work with Me” problem. All the rest are “On Your Own” problems.
*If your child needs a bit more support, they should complete the “On Your Own” problems as a “Work with Me” problem. I have a number of students with gaps in their learning and others with a variety of learning disabilities. I have had incredible success, by having those students complete 5 to 7 problems within each lesson as a “Work with Me” problem. They play a bit of the video, then pause it and copy, then watch a bit more, pause it and copy. My students Play – Pause – and Copy until the entire problem is solved. This is like having a personal tutor working through each and every problem with your child. Every one of my students who has used this strategy has passed the Common Core Proficiency Exam.
How to Add Fractions with Uncommon Denominators
Online Tutoring in Math: Challenge 1
Watch Me
Little Pat’s Race
You are teaching little kids how to ride mini-motorcycles. Your best rider is Little Pat and he is only 6-years old. Little Pat has entered a race. He has ridden his mini-motorcycle 2/3 of a mile. He only needs to stay in front of the pack for another 3/4 of a mile to win.
What is the total length of “Little Pat’s Race”?
Watch this Free Tutoring for Math Video!
Press PLAY and Watch this Free Tutoring for Math Video below. Then copy these strategies into your notes!
How to Add Fractions with Uncommon Denominators
Online Tutoring in Math: Challenge 2
Work With Me
Pull Up Pete
You are in gym class attempting to do a pull-up. Your best friend Pete is doing great. On his first attempt he does 3/4 of a pull-up. On his second attempt he does 5/6 of a pull-up.
How many pull-ups has “Pull-Up Pete” done in all?
Watch this Free Tutoring for Math Video!
Gather your materials and press PLAY. We’ll solve this problem together, while you watch the math tutorial video below.
Do your children get frustrated when they make a mistake?
We all make mistakes. As a matter of fact, making mistakes is an essential part of the learning process. This is why at the end of each of the following “On Your Own” challenges I encourage children to fix their mistakes. Finding and fixing your own mistake is the fastest way to learn.
How to Add Fractions with Uncommon Denominators
Online Tutoring in Math: Challenge 3
On Your Own
Pumping Iron Ant
It’s Saturday. You go outside for a day of relaxation. You look on the ground and see an ant pumping iron. Well, he is actually pumping branches. You are amazed. The first branch he pumps is 5/7 of a pound. He throws that one away and grabs another branch. This one is 2/3 of a pound.
How many pounds has your “Pumping Iron Ant” lifted?
Watch this Free Tutoring for Math Video!
Once you complete the problem – Hit PLAY on the math tutorial video below. Good Luck!
How to Add Fractions with Uncommon Denominators
Online Tutoring in Math: Challenge 4
On Your Own
Slipper Chewing Chihuahua
Your parents just bought you a Chihuahua puppy. He is adorable, but he loves to chew on your mother’s slippers. He eats 5/6 of her right foot slipper and 2/3 of her left foot slipper.
How many slippers has your “Slipper Chewing Chihuahua” eaten?
Watch this Free Tutoring for Math Video!
Once you complete the problem – Hit PLAY on the math tutorial video below. Good Luck!
How to Add Fractions with Uncommon Denominators
Online Tutoring in Math: Challenge 5
On Your Own
Doggie Photographer
You have a talented dog. Not only can he frolic and bark like a normal dog, but he is also a gifted photographer. His only problem is centering people into the frame. He cuts off their head, or parts of their body. Most of his photos show only the right part of the person. But he is getting better.
His last two photos were his best. One photo shows 4/5 of the person. The other photo shows 3/4 of the person.
If you add these two photographs together, how many people does your “Doggie Photographer” have in his photographs?
Watch this Free Tutoring for Math Video!
Once you complete the problem – Hit PLAY on the math tutorial video below. Good Luck!
Want More Tutorials?
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